Adjustable guide arm



Oct. 2, 1934. HOPPER 1,975,607

ADJUSTABLE GUIDE ARM Filed Feb. 2, 1933 l4 RTER LINE Patented Oct. 2, 1934 ADJUSTABLE GUIDE ARM Samuel E. Hopper, Grafton, Pa.

Application February 2,

1 Claim.

My invention relates to an adjustable guide arm Overflow tubes used on closet tank flush valves are made in three (3) standard sizes. The guide 5 arm in general use today is made in three (3) sizes so as to fit each overflow tube. This means that a plumber called to change a guide arm must carry all three (3) sizes to be sure he has the right one. The object of my invention is to produce an adjustable guide arm that meets all the requirements of the guide arm in use today and fits all sizes of tubes.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, the view, is a central vertical section of my invention applied to an overflow tube, parts being in side elevation and broken away.

On the drawing, 1 represents an overflow tube.

Parts 2 and 3 are the main parts of the guide arm being cast separate and then riveted together by means of the rivet 4. A small boss 5 is cast on part 2 to act as a bearing surface.

The set screw 6 is screwed through part 3 and rests against the inner side of part 2. By tightening the set screw 6, parts 2 and 3 are made to bind against the overflow tube 1 from a point 12 upward. Casting the inner surface 14 of part 3 where it rests against the overflow tube 1 in a concave manner and the inner surface 13 of part 2 where it rests against the overflow tube 1 in a convex manner will give a better binding surface to the guide arm. The guide arm now in general use has the set screw located below the water line and in time the set screw rusts away leaving the guide arm free to turn with of time.

With my invention the set screw 6 is 1933, Serial No. 654,851

above the water line and so relieves the possibility of the set screw 6 rusting away.

The lower lift rods 9 used are made in different lengths and a guide arm to fit any size must be adjustable vertically. In my invention this is accomplished by making the vertical parts of 2 and 3 extra. long so that by loosening set screw 6 the whole guide arm may be moved vertically to fit any size lower lift rod 9 made.

Flush valves do not always have a standard dimension 16, so, if one guide arm is to be used a horizontal adjustment is necessary. This is accomplished in my invention by making the arm 10 of part 3 of a pliable material that will enable the plumber to bend the arm by means of a pair of pliers. To make a horizontal adjustment he can bend arm 10 up or down and then straighten the rod holder 7 to make it vertical. By having the arm 10 long and pliable it has a small vibration imparted to it as the rubber ball 15 sways in the water. If the arm is stiff and the lower lift rod 9 has a small burr on it, the lower lift rod 9 may stick in the hole 8 and the rubber ball 15 would not drop and shut off the water. In my invention by having the arm 10 long and pliable, the vibration imparted to it as the rubber ball sways in the water will overcome any sticking of the lower lift rod 9, even with a slight burr in it, and allow the rubber ball 15 to drop and shut oil the water.

I claim:

An adjustable guide arm consisting of two parts riveted together and fastened to the overflow tube of a flush tank by means of an ex panding screw, through one of said parts and bearing against the inner surface of the other part, whereby the top of the structure is spread and the lower part of the guide arm forced tightly against the overflow.

SAMUEL E. HOPPER. 

